BRUSSELS, 25 August. - (ANA) - On Ukraine Independence Day, the European Commission has approved €6.1 billion in new defence procurement for Ukraine. This funding covers air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunitions and radars, reaffirming Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine's defence and resilience against Russia's ongoing aggression.

 

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission:"On Ukraine's Independence Day, Europe shows our support is unfaltering and concrete. Today, we have approved €6.1 billion for the air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars that Ukraine urgently needs. As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies. Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it."

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's push to bolster international support and receive additional air defenses continues on August 24 as the so-called Coalition of the Willing met in Kyiv to discuss ways to pressure Russia to halt its invasion months ahead of another likely brutal winter. 

 

The summit -- with some leaders attending in person in Kyiv and others joining by video conference -- will be held on the day Ukraine is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union, and comes a day after a grouping of Baltic and Nordic nations gathered in the Ukrainian capital in a show of support for Ukraine.

 

The Coalition of the Willing, led by London and Paris, is an informal grouping of some 34 countries supporting Ukraine. No US representative was identified as a participant in the upcoming meeting.  - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/25 August 2026 - - -